Prince George's New Photos at 'Sensational Butterflies' Released to Mark First Birthday

July 22, 2014 09:42:19 GMT

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released photos of the royal baby at the Natural History Museum to celebrate his first anniversary.

Prince George turns one-year-old on July 22. In honor of their son's first birthday, Prince William and Kate Middleton have released two new official photos of the future king from his visit to the Natural History Museum.

The photos showed the young family in the midst of "Sensational Butterflies" exhibition at the museum of which Kate is a patron. In one of the photos, Prince George was pointing and gazing in awe at a blue morpho butterfly which landed on his father's hand. His mother kept a firm grip around the baby boy's waist as he sat on her lap.

Kate was wearing an emerald green floral dress by British designer Suzannah with Annoushka pearl and diamond earrings. George was wearing blue and white stripped dungaree and a navy top by French label Petit Bateau.

In the second photo, the trio appeared to be admiring something off the camera. Kate was holding the little prince in her arms as he reached out toward the unseen butterfly which was fluttering by.

Previously on Saturday, Clarence House's official Twitter posted the first birthday portrait of Prince George. The picture was captioned with, "Look who's walking! Here's our little Prince ahead of his 1st birthday on 22nd July #HappyBirthdayPrinceGeorge."

The photos were taken by John Stillwell, a Press Association photographer, who also captured several moments of the young prince at his christening last October.

The Duke and Duchess released a statement expressing gratitude for hundreds of presents, cards and letters of good wishes they have received from the public since their son's birth. "We would like to take this opportunity on George's first birthday to thank everyone over the last year, wherever we have met them, both at home and overseas, for their warm and generous good wishes to George and our family," they said..

A private tea party to celebrate the anniversary is scheduled at the Kensington Palace.